Chapter 133: Shattered
Zhao Rucheng forced out a smile that was uglier than crying.
“Your Highness, shall we move to the inner hall first? We can talk properly, alright? It’s warmer in the inner hall, let’s sit down and discuss it slowly.”
Li Fuyin’s gaze was firm.
“Sir, how the common people lodge complaints, how they record their statements and press their seals, you shall treat me the same. The laws and regulations of my Daliang Dynasty are brilliant and its systems are strict. Do you not know how to receive and forward petitions?”
Zhao Rucheng said, “This… the Dengwen Drum Bureau also has its rules…”
Li Fuyin slowly stopped what she was doing, raised her hands, and looked at him coldly.
“I heard that the Dengwen Drum will not be presented to His Majesty unless there is blood. Is it now acceptable?”
Her palms were already worn and torn, and bloodstains dyed the drumsticks.
It was a gruesome sight.
Zhao Rucheng’s legs trembled as he watched.
“Yes.”
He glanced in the direction of Chengtian Gate.
“Guards! Welcome the petitioner into the record room, record their grievances, seal the evidence, and report it to His Majesty for perusal…”
The sound of the drum abruptly stopped.
Only then did Wen Jia release the drumstick, turn, and slowly descend the steps.
Her black hair cascaded onto her mourning clothes, like ink spilling. A blood-stained sleeve fluttered in the wind.
She bowed to the crowd.
“Li Fuyin is here. I thank all the villagers. I will never forget this kindness. With your righteous words, I am even more convinced that heaven’s justice is clear, retribution is swift, and justice resides in people’s hearts.”
She was in mourning, without any cosmetics or hair ornaments, yet her appearance was clear and moving. This graceful bow exuded endless sorrow, like a stone dropped into people’s hearts.
When had the common people ever seen such an approachable and resilient princess?
For a moment, the crowd fell silent, and everyone cast looks of admiration.
Wen Jia slowly lowered her arms, and blood droplets from her hands dripped onto the ground.
In the crowd, Lu You’an suddenly pushed aside his attendant, but stopped abruptly upon seeing Wen Jia’s face.
A young maid rushed forward, her eyes red, and supported Wen Jia, wrapping her bleeding palms with a handkerchief, tears streaming down her face.
“Princess, you’re bleeding. How can you bleed so much… it hurts this maid so much.”
Li Fuyin smiled faintly and looked up to see Lu You’an in the crowd.
Their eyes met, and her smile froze instantly.
Then she slowly looked away.
Lu You’an’s brows were tightly furrowed, his eyes filled with worry and concern. It was as if he had a thousand words to say, but they were bound in his throat by an invisible chain, and he stood there helplessly.
Past events were like a dream.
Once missed, it was eternal night.
From then on, they were separated by a vast distance, gazing at each other but unable to embrace again.
–
The morning court in the Golden Palace.
Emperor Chong Zhao was feeling vexed listening to a group of ministers arguing endlessly. Then he heard a eunuch report that Princess Wen Jia had beaten the Dengwen Drum at Chengtian Gate to lodge a complaint. He was instantly furious, his face turning ashen.
He did not erupt immediately. He merely asked the ministers to rest briefly. He returned to the inner hall and immediately flew into a rage.
“This is not my daughter, but an enemy.”
“Where is the Empress? Have her come and deal with this! As the mistress of the harem, how did she manage the princess?”
In his eyes, Wen Jia’s complaint was not a matter of the imperial court, but a struggle within the harem, and the Empress should bear the responsibility.
As Emperor Chong Zhao smashed the second teacup, Empress Xie entered.
“Your Majesty, please calm your anger.”
Emperor Chong Zhao’s eyes blazed, and he slammed the table: “Calm my anger? Calm my anger? She has utterly disgraced the imperial family! Going to Chengtian Gate to beat the Dengwen Drum, gathering a crowd, inciting public sentiment, what has she done to the imperial dignity?”
“She is utterly disrespectful to her sovereign and father! I will punish her severely!”
Empress Xie knew that the Emperor was afraid of losing face and that face was what he wanted.
She stood in place and listened.
After Emperor Chong Zhao had vented his anger, she slowly approached and gently advised.
“If Your Majesty disregards the public’s anger and insists on punishing Wen Jia harshly, I fear the people’s hearts will not be appeased, and public opinion will spread, tarnishing Your Majesty’s sacred name. I also fear that those with ulterior motives will seize this opportunity to stir up trouble, leading to turmoil in the imperial court…”
Emperor Chong Zhao glared at her displeasuredly, his finger tapping the ground fiercely, and roared, “She is my daughter! If she doesn’t listen to me, is she trying to rebel?”
Empress Xie sneered inwardly.
The Emperor also knew Wen Jia was his daughter?
When had he ever treated Wen Jia as a daughter?
Empress Xie lowered her gaze and said softly, “Wen Jia has had a difficult life. From a young age, her mother was sent to the Cold Palace because of her, and mother and daughter were separated. Later, when she married the Imperial Son-in-law, she chose poorly… After finally giving birth to a daughter at great risk, her health was frail, and she was constantly on medicine. Now that the Imperial Son-in-law is also gone, she has become a widow. How can she not be resentful…”
She glanced at the Emperor meaningfully.
“If she truly disregards everything and causes a situation where both sides are destroyed, it will be even harder to resolve…”
She sighed softly and advised with a solemn expression.
“The rise and fall of the imperial family fear not temporary disputes, but boiling public resentment and the sharp pen of history. Your Majesty is a benevolent ruler; you must endure this moment of anger…”
Emperor Chong Zhao gradually calmed down after Empress Xie’s persuasion.
No matter how wrong Wen Jia was, he could not truly imprison and punish her.
For now, appeasement was the priority.
He rubbed his temples with a headache.
“This matter, I will leave it to you to handle. No matter what, first appease her. As for her grievances with Ping Le…”
He hesitated for a moment, then said coldly, “No matter what Ping Le did wrong, she is still her Imperial Sister. How could she be so insubordinate as to openly accuse a member of the imperial family in front of so many commoners, causing such a huge stir and public discussion? What face does she leave for me? What dignity does she leave for Daliang…”
He became angrier as he spoke.
Seeing this, Empress Xie quickly comforted him.
“The grief of losing a husband and the sorrow of losing a relative, Wen Jia’s impulsive actions are understandable. Your Majesty should prioritize the overall situation and forgive her recklessness, thereby demonstrating your magnanimity and benevolence…”
Emperor Chong Zhao waved his hand impatiently.
“Go and appease her. Do not cause such a scene again today. I still have court affairs to attend to. Remember, this matter must be handled perfectly.”
Empress Xie bowed slightly. “Yes.”
Before her voice faded, a mournful cry could be heard from outside the hall.
Wang Chengxi cautiously entered, “Your Majesty, Imperial Consort requests an audience…”
Empress Xie’s eyes slightly sank.
This Xiao Lingrong, she really knows how to pick her timing.
She gazed at the Emperor’s slightly tired expression, the coldness on her face flashing by.
These past few days, Consort Xiao had repeatedly come to plead for Ping Le, crying, feigning misery, and kowtowing for hours. She had tried every method, but Emperor Chong Zhao had remained indifferent. She wondered what new trick she was planning this time.
Suddenly, the sound of a golden hairpin falling to the ground was heard from outside the hall.
Consort Xiao’s cries became even more heart-wrenching.
Emperor Chong Zhao glanced at the Empress and said, “Let her in!”
The crying outside the hall grew louder. Consort Xiao, with her hair disheveled, rushed in and prostrated herself on the ground. A wisp of rich, sweet fragrance emanated from the Suzhou embroidery scented sachet at her waist.
“Your Majesty! Ping Le has had a high fever for two days, and hasn’t eaten a grain of rice. The Imperial Physician says it’s due to fright affecting her liver, and medicine is ineffective… At this critical juncture, you must properly discipline that Wen Jia. The Imperial Physician said Ping Le cannot withstand any more stimulation. Your Majesty… you must save our daughter…”
Empress Xie’s lips curved slightly.
Emperor Chong Zhao’s face was grim, his anger not yet subsided.
Consort Xiao’s tears flowed, and she continued to cry, “Wen Jia has always been timid. For her to do such a shocking and foolish thing this time, it must be that wretched woman in the Cold Palace who instigated her…”
“Consort, mind your words!” Empress Xie suddenly slammed the table, her ring scratching the desk with a sharp sound. “Wen Jia’s birth mother’s rank was personally bestowed by Your Majesty, the rightful Consort Zhaoyi. Your Majesty has not yet issued a decree to depose her, so you are not permitted to speak ill of her!”
Consort Xiao suddenly looked up, only then noticing Empress Xie was also in the hall.
She wiped her tears again, reluctantly bowed to Empress Xie, and looked at the Emperor mournfully.
“I heard that when Wen Jia was recuperating at Pu Ji Temple, she went to the villa to find Xue Liu, who had returned from the Old Mausoleum Swamp. Ever since then, she has changed greatly. There must be something strange going on…”
Empress Xie snorted heavily, interrupting her, “Consort Xiao! What time is it? Instead of helping Your Majesty, you are only making wild accusations and stirring up trouble. What are your intentions?”
Seeing that the Emperor remained silent, Consort Xiao bit her lip and continued to cry with embellishments.
“Your Majesty, Hong Xing reported that Ping Le, in her feverish delirium, kept calling for Imperial Father. Can you bear to let her struggle and suffer on her sickbed?”
“Your Majesty.” Empress Xie laughed in anger and slowly said, “This is a grave matter. Do not lose your decisiveness due to momentary pity.”
Emperor Chong Zhao looked at Consort Xiao’s tear-streaked face and frowned slightly.
“This matter will be handled by the Empress. You return to your chambers and rest well. Do not lose your composure like this again.”
Consort Xiao crawled to Emperor Chong Zhao’s side and tightly hugged his thigh, her body trembling slightly.
“Then what about Ping Le? Does Your Majesty not care about Ping Le’s safety? Wen Jia is newly widowed, and is Ping Le not also alone and miserable? That Lu You’an, disregarding Ping Le’s serious illness, left a letter of divorce and took the child away decisively. Ping Le is in so much pain, she’s dying… Your Majesty, our daughter, is afraid she will be ruined at the Princess’s Mansion…”
Emperor Chong Zhao suddenly coughed violently, and Wang Chengxi hastily offered him a handkerchief.
“Consort Xiao!” Empress Xie shouted sternly, “His Majesty has already given his decree. Hurry and withdraw!”
Emperor Chong Zhao finally slowly closed his eyes, suppressing the pity in his heart.
“My decision is made! Withdraw.”
Xue Sui: The crying child gets the candy.
Li Zhao: You want to cry?
Xue Sui: I’ll stab you!
